Performance training tool

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein are tether lines comprising a handle; a grapple, comprising a body, two stationary arms, and a swing arm configured to rotate around a pivot point in between the stationary arms; and a cable connecting the handle with the grapple. Also disclosed are methods of temporarily restraining an athlete, the methods comprising providing a tether line comprising a handle; a grapple, comprising a body, two stationary arms, and a swing arm configured to rotate around a pivot point in between the stationary arms; and a cable connecting the handle with the grapple; connecting the grapple to the athlete; and applying pressure to a release trigger on the handle, thereby causing the swing arm to swing open, thereby disconnecting the athlete from the grapple.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the field of restraining devices, and in particular, in the field of restraining devices used for athletic training.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Resisted sled towing is a popular training method for many athletes. In this exercise, the athlete is tethered to a weighted sled through a harness attached to the athlete's chest. The weighted sled provides resistance as the athlete tries to sprint a certain distance. A variation to the resisted sled towing provides for the coach or the trainer to release the tether, and thereby free the athlete to sprint at the athlete's top speed, as some point during the resisted sled towing exercise. It is believed that the combination of sled towing and free sprinting within the same run provides for greater improvement in running form and sprint mechanics.

Currently, there is no easy way for the coach to release the tether while the athlete is sprinting. In many instances, the coach must ask the athlete to stop while the coach releases the tether. This reduces the benefit of the exercise dramatically. Other quick release systems require the coach to release the tether at a point substantially close to the athlete's body. In these systems, the coaches approach and proximity to the athlete interferes with the athlete's level of exertion and becomes counterproductive to the exercise. There is a need in the art for a fast, easy, remotely operated, and safe release of the tether without requiring the athlete to reduce his or her level of exertion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed herein are tether lines comprising a handle; a grapple, comprising a body, two stationary arms, and a swing arm configured to rotate around a pivot point in between the stationary arms; and a cable connecting the handle with the grapple. Also disclosed are methods of temporarily restraining an athlete, the methods comprising providing a tether line comprising a handle; a grapple, comprising a body, two stationary arms, and a swing arm configured to rotate around a pivot point in between the stationary arms; and a cable connecting the handle with the grapple; connecting the grapple to the athlete; and applying pressure to a release trigger on the handle, thereby causing the swing arm to swing open, thereby disconnecting the athlete from the grapple.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an over view of an embodiment of the disclosed tether line.

FIG. 2A shows an embodiment of the disclosed grapple in its closed position, and FIG. 2B shows the same embodiment of the disclosed grapple in its open position.

FIG. 3A shows the inner workings of an embodiment of the disclosed tether line with the grapple in its closed position, and FIG. 3B shows the same embodiment of the disclosed tether line with the grapple in its open position.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the disclosed release mechanism.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the disclosed release mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Disclosed herein are tether lines having a quick-release, cable operated grapple. The grapple is a resettable latch that can hold several hundred pounds of force, and yet be released quickly and easily with less than one pound of force.

The tether lines disclosed herein comprise a proximal end and a distal end. As used herein, the terms “proximal” and “distal” are with reference to the person releasing the tether line. Thus, in an athletic setting, the coach is at the proximal end of the tether line, while the athlete is at the distal end. The disclosed tether lines comprise a handle at the proximal end, which handle can be held by the coach or be connected to a sled. A cable connects the handle to a grapple at the distal end of the tether line. The grapple is configured to attach to a harness on the athlete. In one embodiment of an athletic setting, the coach connects the grapple to the harness worn by the athlete while the coach holds on the handle. The athlete is instructed to sprint while the coach is providing resistance by his/her own body weight. At the appropriate time, the coach activates the release mechanism on the handle, which causes the grapple to open and be disconnected from the harness. The athlete is then free to sprint at his/her top speed without any additional resistance.

In some embodiments, the disclosed tether lines are used in athletic training. In some of these embodiments, the proximal end comprises a handle to be held by an individual, for example a coach or a trainer. In other embodiments, the proximal end comprises an attachment mechanism configured to attach the tether line to a sled, a set of weights, a wall, or other means that provide resistance to the athlete.

In other embodiments, the disclosed tether lines are used with animals. The grapple is attached to a harness or a collar on the animal and the animal handler operates the proximal end of the tether line. In some embodiments, the disclosed tether lines are used on animals, such as horses or dogs, during their training, or on police dogs that are to be set loose on an offender.

In still other embodiments, the disclosed tether lines are used in handling cargo or other loads, where the load is to be released quickly.

The tether lines disclosed herein are now discussed in view of the drawings. The skilled artisan recognizes that the drawings show specific embodiments of the disclosed tether lines and that the disclosed release mechanisms can be achieved with other similar mechanism that are not shown.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the disclosed tether line 100. The tether line 100 comprises a handle 102 at the proximal end and a grapple 104 at the distal end. The handle 102 and the grapple 104 are connected by a hollow tube 106. A cable 108 runs within the hollow tube 106 and is connected to a release mechanism on the grapple 104 (not shown) and a release trigger 110 on the handle 102. FIG. 1 depicts a cut out view of the cable 108 to show the internal features thereof. In some embodiments, the cable 108 is a coaxial cable comprising of an outer, shell cable housing 108 and an inner, strand cable 112. Cable 108 passes through a proximal nut 114 before connecting to the handle 102, and through a distal nut 116 before connecting to the grapple 104. The nuts 114,116 secure the hollow tube 106 to the grapple 104, or alternatively the handle 102, independent of the connectivity of the cable 108.

In some embodiments, the handle 102 is made of a metal, while in other embodiments, the handle 102 is made of a polymer or other synthetic material. In some embodiments, the metal is selected from steel, aluminum, titanium, and the like, or alloys thereof. In some embodiments, the polymer is selected from polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, nylon, natural or synthetic rubber, and the like, or mixtures thereof. In certain embodiments, the synthetic material comprises fibers of plastic or graphite. In these embodiments, the material that forms the handle 102 is of such strength that can withstand the forces applied to the handle 102 during its use. In further embodiments, the handle 102 is made up of a woven material, such as polymeric webbing, cotton, and the like, and is soft or malleable, akin to a rope.

In certain embodiments, the hollow tube 106 is made up of a soft material, which is malleable akin to a rope. In certain embodiments, the tube 106 is made up of a woven material, such as polymeric webbing, or natural fibers such as cotton, hemp, and the like.

In some embodiments, the cable 108 and/or the strand cable 112 is made of a metal, while in other embodiments, the cable 108 and/or the strand cable 112 is made of a polymer or other synthetic material. In some embodiments, the metal is selected from steel, aluminum, titanium, and the like, or alloys thereof. In some embodiments, the polymer is selected from polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, nylon, natural or synthetic rubber, and the like, or mixtures thereof. In certain embodiments, the synthetic material comprises fibers of plastic or graphite. In these embodiments, the material that forms the cable 108 and/or the strand cable 112 is of such strength that can withstand the force of an individual or an animal pulling on it at full force. For example, the cable 108 and/or the strand cable 112 can withstand a force of greater than 100 N.

In some embodiments, the nuts 114,116 are made of a metal, while in other embodiments, the nuts 114,116 are made of a polymer or other synthetic material. In some embodiments, the metal is selected from steel, aluminum, titanium, and the like, or alloys thereof. In some embodiments, the polymer is selected from polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, nylon, natural or synthetic rubber, and the like, or mixtures thereof. In certain embodiments, the synthetic material comprises fibers of plastic or graphite.

FIG. 2A shows an embodiment of the grapple 104 in its closed position. The grapple 104 comprises a body 202, which terminates in two stationary arms 204,206 at the distal terminus of the grapple 104. A swing arm 208 rotates around a pivot point 210 in between the stationary arms 204,206. A release arm 212 holds the swing arm 208 in the closed position. The release arm 212 is connected to the cable 108 and/or the strand cable 112. Once the cable 108 and/or the strand cable 112 is pulled (as described below), the release arm 212 swings downward about the pivot 214 and allows the swing arm 208 to rotate freely about the pivot 210.

FIG. 2B shows the grapple 104 of the embodiment of FIG. 2A in its open position. In this view, the swing arm 208 has been released and has pivoted about the pivot 210 into an open position. The open position shows the locking mechanism for the swing arm 208. When the swing arm 208 is swung downward, the catch 216 enters the hole 218. The contact between the catch 216 and the hole 218 prevents the swing arm 208 from swinging upward. Hence, a lock is created. When cable 108 and/or the strand cable 112 is pulled and the release arm 212 is swung downward, the contact between the catch 216 and the hole 218 is lost and the swing arm 208 can swing upward, thereby opening the grapple 104. In some embodiments (not shown), when the pull on the cable 108 and/or the strand cable 112 is released, i.e., the user has let go of the release trigger 110 (below), a spring causes the release arm 212 to swing upward to its neutral position (in some embodiments, for example, when the plane of the release arm 212 is orthogonal to the plane of the two stationary arms 204,206). When the release arm 212 is in its neutral position, then the hole 218 is in a position to receive the catch 216 and lock it in place when the swing arm 208 is brought back to the closed position.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show one embodiment of the release mechanism of the disclosed tether 100, with the handle 102 and the grapple 104 cut open to show the internal mechanisms thereof. FIG. 3A shows the grapple 104 in its closed position whereas FIG. 3B show its open position. The release trigger 110 is connected to the pull arm 302, which in turn is connected to the cable 108 and/or the strand cable 112. When the trigger 110 is pushed inward (direction 320, FIG. 3B), the entire trigger assembly, which comprises the trigger 110 and the arm 302, pivots about the point 304. This causes the cable 108 and/or the strand cable 112 to be pulled proximally, which in turn causes the release arm 212 to pivot proximally about the point 214 (direction 340, FIG. 3B). The catch 216 is then freed from the hole 218, which allows for the swing arm 208 to pivot open (direction 360, FIG. 3B). Once the user's pressure on the trigger 110 is removed, a spring 306 pushes the trigger 110 back to its original, neutral position. This causes the cable 108 and/or the strand cable 112 to be pushed distally, which in turn causes the release arm 212 to pivot distally about the point 214.

FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the handle 102 and the release mechanism. The proximal end of the cable 108 and/or the strand cable 112 is connected to the distal end of the trigger 402. When the trigger 402 is pushed inward, the cable 108 and/or the strand cable 112 is pulled along, which as described above, causes the opening of the grapple 104 (not shown). A spring 404 returns the trigger 402 back to its neutral position.

FIG. 5 shows yet another alternative embodiment of the handle 102 and the release mechanism. The strand cable 112 is connected to a release pull 502. When the release pull 502 is pulled proximally, the strand cable 112 moves proximally and, as described above, causes the opening of the grapple 104 (not shown). In some embodiments (not shown), a spring mechanism returns the release pull 502 and the strand cable 112 back to their neutral position. In some of these embodiments, the spring is located under the release arm 212. In other embodiments, the user pushes the release pull 502 distally to bring it back to its neutral position. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A tether line comprising: a handle; a grapple, comprising a body, two stationary arms, and a swing arm configured to rotate around a pivot point in between the stationary arms; and a cable connecting the handle with the grapple.
 2. The tether line of claim 1, wherein the cable comprises a coaxial cable comprising an outer, shell cable housing and an inner, strand cable.
 3. The tether line of claim 2, wherein the cable passes through a first nut before connecting to the handle, and through a second nut before connecting to the grapple; wherein the first and second nuts are configured to secure the shell cable housing to the grapple and the handle, respectively.
 4. The tether line of claim 1, wherein the grapple further comprises a first pivot, around which the swing arm rotates.
 5. The tether line of claim 1, wherein the grapple further comprises a release arm configured to hold the swing arm in the closed position, wherein the release arm is connected to the cable.
 6. The tether line of claim 5, wherein the grapple further comprises a second pivot, around which the release arm rotates.
 7. The tether line of claim 5, wherein the release arm comprises a hole configured to receive a catch on the swing arm when the swing arm is in the closed position.
 8. The tether line of claim 5, wherein the release arm is connected to the cable.
 9. The tether line of claim 5, wherein the grapple further comprises a spring that brings the release arm to its neutral position once the pressure on the cable is released.
 10. The tether line of claim 1, wherein the handle further comprises a release trigger connected to the cable.
 11. The tether line of claim 10, wherein the cable connects the release trigger on the handle to the release arm on the grapple.
 12. A method of temporarily restraining an athlete, the method comprising: providing a tether line comprising a handle; a grapple, comprising a body, two stationary arms, and a swing arm configured to rotate around a pivot point in between the stationary arms; and a cable connecting the handle with the grapple; connecting the grapple to the athlete; and applying pressure to a release trigger on the handle, thereby causing the swing arm to swing open, thereby disconnecting the athlete from the grapple. 